Nitrogen-driven desorption by a diazirine
Inventors
Giese, Roger W. • Kulkarni, Pushkar
Assignees
Northeastern University Boston
Publication Number
US-12181440-B2
Publication Date
2024-12-31
Expiration Date
2042-08-05
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Abstract
Disclosed is a method of desorbing an adsorbed material by subjecting to energy a diazirine adsorbed on a solid surface or a layer on the solid surface, which causes the diazirine to form a carbene and nitrogen gas; and using the energy of the resultant nitrogen gas to desorb the adsorbed material from the solid surface or a layer on the same. Also disclosed is a method of reacting the resultant carbene with (a) a material in the gas phase proximal to the first solid surface; (b) a material adsorbed on a second solid surface proximal to the first solid surface; or (c) a second solid surface proximal to the first solid surface.
Core Innovation
The invention provides methods of desorbing an adsorbed material by subjecting a diazirine, adsorbed on a solid surface or in a layer on the surface, to an energy source. This activation causes the diazirine to decompose into a carbene and nitrogen gas. The nitrogen gas, generated with sufficient energy, drives the desorption of the material from the solid surface or layer.
Additionally, the methods encompass generating a carbene by exposure of the diazirine to energy, where the nitrogen gas desorbs the carbene itself. The desorbed carbene can then react with a material in the gas phase, with a material adsorbed on a second solid surface, or directly with the second solid surface that is proximal to the first.
This innovation addresses the shortcomings of traditional desorption techniques such as Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS), which face issues like limited detection scope, background signal interference from the matrix, and high sensitivity to sample and matrix conditions. The disclosed methods exploit the energetic nitrogen gas from diazirine decomposition to achieve efficient desorption and labeling without many of the drawbacks of conventional methods.
Claims Coverage
There are two independent claims, each introducing a major inventive feature.
Method of desorbing an adsorbed material by nitrogen-driven diazirine activation
A method comprising: 1. Providing a solid with a first surface on which both a diazirine and a material are adsorbed. 2. Exposing the diazirine to a source of energy to generate a carbene and nitrogen gas. 3. The nitrogen gas evolves from the surface with sufficient energy to desorb the material from the first solid surface.
Method of reacting a carbene desorbed by nitrogen gas from diazirine activation
A method comprising: 1. Providing a solid with a surface where a diazirine is adsorbed. 2. Exposing the diazirine to a source of energy that generates a carbene and nitrogen gas. 3. The nitrogen gas causes the carbene to desorb from the surface. 4. Reacting the desorbed carbene with: - a material in the gas phase near the solid surface, - a material adsorbed on a second solid surface near the first, or - a second solid surface near the first solid surface.
The patent claims cover both the nitrogen-driven desorption of adsorbed materials from a solid surface and the subsequent use of desorbed carbenes for targeted chemical reactions with nearby materials or surfaces.
Stated Advantages
N2D2-MS enables detection of materials with less background interference, as much less diazirine is required compared to traditional matrix materials.
The method is less delicate, more rugged, and requires less optimization compared to MALDI-MS, making it easier and more robust for detection purposes.
It enables detection of a broader range of organic chemicals, including small molecules that traditional methods often miss.
The technique simplifies sample preparation, with reduced need for matrix selection and optimization.
There is a potential for quantitative detection and reduced ion suppression effects, improving analytical performance.
The method avoids contact of analyte with hot metal surfaces, sidestepping issues present in techniques like SALDI.
Combining N2D2-MS with MALDI-MS can yield improved desorption performance over either method alone.
The approach enables covalent modification of materials, precise printing, or structure building at nano/microscale by carbene transfer.
Documented Applications
Detection of drugs, peptides, proteins, lipids, glycans, or nucleic acids by mass spectrometry using N2D2-MS.
Labeling and detection of materials such as acebutolol, peptides, and DNA molecules for enhanced mass spectrometric analysis.
Surface modification by transferring carbene-derived groups onto polymer or other surfaces via diazirine layers.
Tissue imaging enhancement by N2D2-MS, wherein CAX-DZ diazirines are applied and laser desorption mass spectrometry is performed.
Gene editing and precise covalent modification using Covalent Modification Atomic Force Microscopy, where the AFM tip is coated with diazirine.
Desorption and detection of DNA molecules from covalently-bound diazirine surfaces using mass spectrometry.
Drug delivery, by activating a diazirine-derivatized fiber optic tip coated with the drug at a targeted location, releasing the drug by light-triggered N2D2.
Nano/micro 3D-like printing, assembling molecular structures or cellular arrangements by N2D2-based desorption from derivatized substrates.
Removal of a protective plastic film from a functionalized surface using N2D2.
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